Legal - Litigation and Adjudication Program

The Litigation and Adjudication Program serves as the legal advisor to the State Engineer. As commissioned special assistant attorneys general, the attorneys prosecute all water right adjudications brought on behalf of the State of New Mexico in state and federal courts. They also provide legal representation to the Water Resources Allocation Program in all water right administrative hearings and to the State Engineer in appeals of his decisions to district court.

Litigation and Adjudication Program attorneys also seek injunctions on the State Engineer’s behalf against illegal uses of water or over-diversions of water. Because of the critical role of hydrographic surveys in adjudications, integration of the technical and legal functions within one division has increased overall efficiencies in the adjudication process.

For more information about the Litigation and Adjudication Program with the Office of the State Engineer, contact (505) 827-6150.